DARG

Here’s another great success story for two DARG doggies, sent in by Jane and Chris Battersby-Lennard…

“Chris and I adopted these two beautiful hounds, Ella (neé Nellie) and Basie (neé Ayesha), almost six months ago. As they play in front of the fire this evening, I thought I’d drop a mail to let you know how wonderful they’ve been.

Ella and Basie were housed in the same pen at DARG when we went in in early January. They were good friends then and have been great together ever since.

When we got Basie she was very nervous, cowering all the way home and barking at everything, ‘just in case’. She was like a shadow for us for the first month or so. Over the last six months she’s slowly realised that the world is not a scary place, has become a happy, confident little dog and is finally recognizing that she might just be a lap dog after all. She is wonderfully protective of us, smart and sassy. I don’t think the squirrel obsession will ever fade though. She has however taught herself to sit down and calm herself is a squirrel passes our way on walks. The squirrels of Bergvliet heave a collective sigh of relief.

Ella, on the other hand, was never in doubt that she was a lap dog. Which was fine when she was a spaghetti-legged pup, but now (thanks to the hydrotherapy) as a 20kg, well-toned hound its a wee bit less comfortable. She’s the kind of dog that people on the street fall in love with and has an incurable curiosity. Never met a dog with such an interest in watching toilets flush, or any other plumbing. She’s a huge snuggle thief and is fully aware of her cute factor. We used to her “our little bundle of dofness”,but now we see that, like most blondes, the dumb is an act.

I look at the DARG site regularly and it breaks my heart to see the abuse these dogs and cats go through. The amazing thing is how they hold no record of wrongs. Everyday Ella and Basie let us know that they know that they’ve been rescued. A lick, a snuggle, a nose nuzzled in, glance back on a walk. Awesome creatures.

Keep up the good work at DARG.

Here’s a heart-warming success story sent in by Emma and Henry…

I went to DARG last year May looking to adopt a dog. I was looking for an adult dog, as I could not provide the time for a puppy. Never did I expect to find my now best friend, Henry (Jack Russel cross Foxy).

When I first saw him at darg, he was a scared, shy dog who shivered constantly. From his history, you could tell he had come off the streets. I’m not sure why but I felt something telling me that he was the one I should take. The DARG volunteers told me that you don’t pick the dog, the dog picks you…which turned out to be completely true!

Looking back on that day seems so long ago – it’s almost a year now. Henry is not the dog he used to be any more. He is confident, loving, and the best companion one can have. He loves his early morning walks, chasing squeaky toys, and rolling in the grass ! He has been to Johannesburg with me to visit my parents, and he has even conquered Lion’s Head!

I have had many pets in my life; dogs, cats, birds, fish, and even a horse! But since I moved to cape town I have yearned to have animals around me. Henry is my first pet since I have been in cape town, and before he came into my life, I felt something was missing. I hope to adopt another dog as a companion for him in the near future.
I want to thank the wonderful people at DARG who do such a wonderful job giving animals a second chance in life. I also want to thank Mia, who came to do my house inspection and often does follow ups to see how Henry is doing.

If you are looking to adopt a dog, please consider the right age and temperment , and make sure it compliments your lifestyle.

Warm regards
Emma (and henry)

Here’s another great success story.

This one was actually sent in a while ago, and our lazy webmaster forgot all about it until now, when  he was going through some old emails. Anyway, better late than never, we always say.

Look at these photos sent in by Michelle and see how well Khaya and Ujo (now called Chloe) have settled in!

We always love it when people send us news on animals they’ve adopted. We don’t just process animals through our centre, but come to know and love each one that we meet. Here’s an email from Carla about the lovely pup she has taken home and made part of her family…

“I am just sending a update on Bambi, now known as Kiera. I adopted her at the end of last year being about 4 months old. Since then she has settled in so easily and has made such a difference to myself and my husbands life. She has grown into her ears a bit, but they are still so floppy and cute!! She loves her walks and is very good on or off her leash.

She has the strangest way of telling us she want a kiss or a rub by giving this little moan and makes the funniest little barks just to entertain us in the evenings.

She loves meeting new friends and is very protective of her home. Any noise and she is wide awake and alert. Her favourite spot in the house is in the kitchen especially when I am cooking and in the “on my back with legs spread wide open” position.

She loooovvveees her treats and accepts them very well and politly. At days a little lady and others a crazy lady. We are hoping to give her a permanent friend as soon as we are finished with the renovations to our house and will defenitly be visiting DARG soon!”

Thanks for the update Carla! We’re thrilled it’s all going so well!